new saddle

[jonwatsabaugh]

I hesitated even posting these pictures after seeing Brian H's last rig (man, that's a cool saddle!) but anyway here goes. I just finished this one for a fella who's last name happens to be Wade. Steve Mason's back cinch (love that design!) was the inspiration for the one I did for this saddle and I liked some tooling I saw on William Hape's saddle from last years Sheridan show and used the same concept in the seat floral.

Jon

[Rod and Denise Nikkel]

I really like seeing the carving on the seat close up. The over and unders of the vines are really well done. The whole cantle - binding, carving and ear - is so symmetrical and clean that it stands out for that alone. Very, very nice Jon.

Rod

Edited June 9, 2008 by Rod and Denise Nikkel

[jbird]

wow I love the color and the carving is very nice. I have one question how did you stain the saddle it is very clean and even.

[TroyWest]

Looks great Jon, good looking tree too.

[steveh]

Jon, excellent work, tooling and craftmanship look great. Nice color, is that neatsfoot oil and sunshine?

Steve

[Randy Cornelius]

WOW!, very nice work. You should be proud. Can I ask what the sale price was?

Randy

[bruce johnson]

You guys just keep raising the bar. Thanks for showing this one. Way cool.

[gtwister09]

Jon,

NICE! NICE! NICE! This one is very nice. The seat design is very nice with flowers and meandering. Execution of the seat is nice and tight as well. I have to agree with Rod and Bruce.

Regards,

Ben

[jonwatsabaugh]

Thanks for all the nice comments! I always find many short comings after finishing a project but I guess thats part of trying to be a perfectionist like most of you. I got the color by oiling three coats, lots of warm Iowa sun, then Tan Kote, Tandy Highliter, then Tan Kote. The saddle actually had much more contrast in the tooling than the photos reveiled...summer mission, new digital camera.

Jon

[jwwright]

Off the charts good Jon. Thanks for sharing your work. JW